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Overcoming failure: Dr James Fortein’s inspirational story

28 December 2020 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

DrFotein_web read more — Dr James Fortein

Dr James Fortein, who had to overcome multiple failures and almost quit his dream, is now a qualified cardiologist after passing his final examination in August 2020.

Major achievement

Says a proud Dr Fortein: “It is a relief to have qualified as a cardiologist. This is a major achievement for me and my family. I can make a difference in many ways through this qualification. It is a blessing to be entrusted with a gift that can affect humanity.”

According to him, his journey started in Grade 11 when he had already made the decision to improve his life. However, it was not an easy road. He grew up in a single-parent home with limited resources and role models. An all-inclusive bursary was withdrawn after he obtained a D symbol in Mathematics (higher grade) in Grade 12. Dr Fortein, who at the time wanted to study engineering, was forced to work in retail for a year while he improved his Mathematics mark.

He called this his ‘gap year’.

On becoming medical doctor

“I registered for a BComm (Human Resource Management) at the University of the Free State. I enjoyed it and did well. I stayed in House Khayalami, where I met three medical students who inspired me through their hard work and dedication. They are now all UFS-qualified doctors. I attended some of their discussions and later changed my course, applied for Medicine and was accepted,” explains Dr Fortein.

Overcoming multiple failures

“I never repeated a grade in school. Then I came to Medical School and things changed. There was an increase in time spent studying and a decrease in the marks obtained. I missed a test in Paediatrics in my third year and had to do an oral test. It didn’t go well, and I failed the year. I couldn’t give up and had to regroup and go back to complete my medical studies. The failure had its positive side. I was more confident in my work after that.”

“The failures I experienced during my postgraduate training were more intense. My situation changed. The failures now affected my wife and children. I had a full-time job and bills to pay. Failure at this level places unnecessary strain on your family life. You invest so much time and effort into work and studying and then you fail. It was heart-breaking,” says Dr Fortein.

He was on the verge of depression and wanted to quit after failing the Cardiology Certificate examination twice.

“It was through encouragement from my wife that I picked up the pieces and gave it another try. Sharing the pain with friends and Cardiology Certificate candidates helped me to get closure and courage to prepare for the exam again.”

He passed the exam in August 2020 after it was postponed from May due to the lockdown.

What kept him going?

There are factors that helped him to push through. God’s hand was in this process, says Dr Fortein. “Friends and family encouraged me. My focus and determination for a better life drove me to the last leg of the journey. I knew there was untapped potential in me that I had to use.”

News Archive

King Moshoeshoe comes alive on national television

2004-11-02

Honourable Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, and his wife; King Letsie III of Lesotho and Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs at the UFS during the première of the film at the Royal Palace in Lesotho

The ground-breaking documentary film on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation, will come alive on Thursday 4 November 2004 when it is screened on SABC2 at 21:00

The film, called Moshoeshoe: The Renaissance King, forms part of a larger project by the University of the Free State (UFS) to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. It was produced by the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez and commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations.

The SABC2 screening was preceded by a première in Bloemfontein last month, and was attended by provincial political leaders.

This past weekend there was a première at the Royal Palace in Lesotho, which was attended by King Letsie III, the prime minister, the chief justice, judges, the president of the senate, cabinet ministers and directors-general.

“Through this documentary film the UFS commits itself to developing a shared appreciation of the history of this country and to the establishment of the Free State Province as a model of reconciliation and nation-building. King Moshoeshoe is also a strong common element, and binding factor, in the relationship between South Africa/the Free State, and its neighbour, Lesotho,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“Not all people in South Africa know the history of Moshoeshoe. Many Basotho – but not all – are well versed in the history of Moshoeshoe, and his name is honoured in many a street, town and township. Many white people know little of him, or have a very constrained or even biased view of his role and legacy. In Africa and the world, he is much less known than, for instance, Shaka,” said Prof Fourie.

“King Moshoeshoe did a remarkable thing in forging a new nation out of a fragmented society. He also created a remarkable spirit of reconciliation and a remarkable spirit of leadership,” said Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie we already benefit from his legacy: the people of the Free State share a tradition of moderation and reconciliation rather than one of aggression and domination. “For the UFS this is also part of real transformation – of creating a new unity amidst our diversity,” said Prof Fourie.

“We also find in the legacy of King Moshoeshoe the possibility of a “founding philosophy”, or “defining philosophy”, for the African renaissance. To develop this philosophy, we must gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, of his role, of his leadership. Therefore the UFS will encourage and support further research into the history, politics and sociology of the Moshoeshoe period, including his leadership style,” said Prof Fourie.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
2 November 2004

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